China: Authorities to conduct mass testing territorywide Nov. 2-4 amid COVID-19 activity /update 81

Event

Authorities in Macau are requiring individuals territorywide to undergo daily rapid antigen tests Nov. 2-4 and declare their test results on the Macau health code system amid concerns of COVID-19 activity in the territory. Positive cases must call an ambulance regardless of lack of symptom visibility to undergo a nucleic acid test at a medical facility. Individuals who forego testing will receive a yellow health code, preventing them from entering public spaces, taking public transport, or departing the territory. Untested cases may be subject to medical observation at a designated facility for two weeks. Government officials have also warned that additional rounds of nucleic acid testing may occur in the coming days.

Domestic Measures
Individuals in Macau must register their addresses or most frequented locations to receive a health code. Facemasks are mandatory in public, and people must present a negative nucleic acid test result taken within three days to enter most venues. High-risk locations, such as nonessential businesses and government offices, must provide a QR code for contact tracing. Industrial and commercial companies, including casinos, may operate at a limited capacity but must abide by health protocols. Venues must ensure that all staff, visitors, and performers are fully vaccinated or hold a negative nucleic acid COVID-19 test result taken in the past 48 hours. Thermal scanners are in place at all entry points into Macau and many businesses, including casinos.

Officials can designate a building or community where COVID-19 cases emerge as a red zone, preventing entry and exit. Residents, people that work near, and anyone that spent more than 30 minutes in a red zone must receive negative nucleic acid test results for three consecutive days to reenter the community. People that visited locations where COVID-19 cases visited may receive a yellow health code if their itineraries overlap. Individuals that receive a yellow health code must undergo two nucleic acid tests in three days to have related restrictions lifted.

International Travel Restrictions
Residents from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan may enter Macau if they have not been to other locations in the previous 10 days. Foreign nationals from 41 locations, including Australia, Canada, France, Singapore, the UK, and the US, and diplomats, including holders of UN-issued passports or Macau-issued diplomatic or consular identity cards, can enter Macau without prior authorization. Family members of Macau residents and work and study visa holders from other locations can enter with permission from health officials.

Inbound passengers from mainland China must hold a negative COVID-19 nucleic acid test result received within seven days before departure and undergo several rounds of nucleic acid testing. Arrivals from Zhuhai are exempt from on-arrival testing but must hold a negative test result issued within 48 hours before entry. Entrants from mainland China's medium- and high-risk areas must quarantine 7-10 days from their last exposure at designated hotels. Officials could alter quarantine requirements at short notice. A complete list of quarantine measures for travelers from mainland China is available here.

Arrivals from Hong Kong and Taiwan must be fully vaccinated and provide a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 24 hours before departure. Returning citizens from outside Greater China and permitted international travelers must take a COVID-19 test 48 hours before departure. Any entrant that previously contracted COVID-19 must present a negative nucleic acid test result taken at least 72 hours before arrival and present proof of a booster COVID-19 dose.

Travelers must quarantine at a government-designated facility for seven days, take at least four COVID-19 tests during quarantine, and undergo self-health management or monitoring for three more days. Officials can increase quarantine if passengers return a positive serological test result. Most arrivals must pay quarantine fees, if applicable. Locals returning for the first time or traveling for specific purposes are exempt. Officials operate a closed management system with Hong Kong for cargo crews, exempting crew members from quarantine if they undergo COVID-19 testing weekly, maintain adequate health standards, and refrain from disembarking in Hong Kong.

Transport between Macau and Hong Kong is only available via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. Several airlines continue to suspend most international flights at Macau International Airport (MFM) amid generally reduced demand. Some ferry services have resumed with mainland China, but suspensions can occur quickly due to COVID-19 activity. People departing Macau by air or sea must carry negative COVID-19 nucleic acid test results issued no more than 24 hours before departure.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Consider postponing travel to Macau if impacted by travel restrictions. Allow additional time for immigration and health screenings. Delay travel if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny, immigration delays, or mandatory quarantine. Confirm reservations and business appointments.

Resources

Macau Health Bureau (Chinese and Portuguese)
Macau Border Measures (Chinese)
Macau Higher Education Bureau
Macau Testing Appointments